Sam's+letter

May 3 rd, 1865

Dear Family, I was coming home on a steamboat named the Sultana and it was super crowded there was 2,000 people. We stopped at Memphis, Tennessee and 500 more people got on. The over worked boilers looked like they weren’t fixed enough but we went on.

After a little while the boilers exploded with a boom and hot coals steam going every were, it was like fireworks. The coals were zipping by me, one of the hot coals hit me in the knee my burning flesh hurt so hot burned a lot. After that I was hurled off the deck and slammed my right arm and right leg on the freezing cold blue mucky water. With my sore arm and leg I barely made it to the sandy shore. Thankfully nice people came and helped me go to a big hospital with the other survivors. They fixed my arm and leg but I still need crutches.

I am coming home on a nice, big and safe train. I will see you soon. Sincerely, Marvin

Dear Marvin, I am so glad to hear from you, its been so long. I was waiting so long to hear from you and some days I even thought I was never going to. We are glad you are okay we found it so hard to think that you weren't going to make it, it is hard to come to mind.We were so stunned and starteled at the same time but when we read on we were so happy. Now we know you are safe and very much alive joy comes to mind. i'm so sorry hearing about youre tradgity losing people and friends and all that trouble you went through to get here. We hope your leg gets better but the hospital will take very good care of you and hopefully the other survivors are getting better.and the bus will be fine and it will be just right. We cant wait to see your face again in person and see the changes you have developed. We give you the best of luck. And we are always here if you need help. sincerely, your loving Family